“The transition to a green economy is omnipresent in our diplomacy, in our popular culture, in our evolving industries, led by innovative technologies,” he said. “What started as a pioneer movement has successfully won the hearts and minds of millions across the world.”

But once the party at the UN Climate Change Conference was over, it was time for policymakers to look closely at the magnitude of the undertaking the 195 countries had made.

Shifting from an infrastructure and economy based on the traditional 20th-century model to a new green society demands massive investment and huge disruption.

“For some of us,” said Šefčovič, “this new economy triggers the imagination and sense of adventure, for others it might seem intimidating.”

“But trust me – it is the only way forward. And it’s the only way for Europe to be a global growth engine.”

That goal appears a long way off after years of recession – which has helped lower emissions – and in a world where so much can be influenced by fluctuating oil prices, and which still relies heavily on fossil fuels.

“We need to talk about transformation not transition,” said Cristiana Pasca Palmer, the Romanian government’s environment chief, who was at the conference.

This transformation cuts across a huge range of emission creating sectors, such as transport, agriculture, energy and even financial services, and will need policy action at every level – from the United Nations to the local binman.

Renewables need to be integrated into existing grids interconnected across Europe – the Energy Union. The ultimate goal is that they will replace gas, which has been identified as the lower carbon ‘bridge’ fuel by the European Commission.

Initiatives are needed in areas as diverse as landfill, building renovation, traffic light systems, municipal public procurement and social programs to soften the blow to those who will lose their jobs as polluting industries shut down.

The threat of extreme weather caused by climate change and the challenges it can pose to EU citizens and insurers were highlighted again last week by the floods in France, which killed four and cost millions.

The inability of the EU’s member states to agree on an effort-sharing deal could delay the ratification of the Paris Agreement until late 2017. This would see the climate deal enter into force without the world’s biggest economic bloc. EurActiv France reports.

And they will drive efforts to reach a by no means certain consensus on the controversial Circular Economy package of waste and recycling rules.

The package was withdrawn by the executive, when the Juncker Commission took over, before being re-tabled a year later, with a greater focus on creating effective markets, better product design but weaker landfill targets.

The EU’s 2030 climate and energy goals, which push for emissions cuts and increases in energy efficiency and renewables need to be translated into EU legislation. The targets were the bedrock of the EU’s negotiating position in Paris.

The EU’s Emissions Trading System – the world’s largest carbon market – needs reform. Current carbon prices are so low that there is no incentive for investors to turn their back on fossil fuels.

Sectors that are not covered by the ETS – such as transport and agriculture – are also in the sights of EU regulators. Transport, for example, represents a quarter of all the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Even when the expected legislation follows the recent Commission communication on non-ETS sectors, there is still a huge amount of work to do.

Resistance

The European Parliament and Council must back each of these policies, which then must be implemented properly at national level.

And each piece of regulation will face stiff resistance from those with vested interests in maintaining the unsustainable status quo.

The burning of petroleum in transport, despite its contribution to climate change, is a choice made by customers in a society that runs on liquid fuel, John Cooper has said. The director-general of FuelsEurope stated that there had never been a referendum, asking whether people were prepared to pay more for a low carbon future.

Accusations that green laws harm Europe’s international competitiveness can be damaging and sap political will.

That is why the European Commission is so keen to win the economic argument – a stance that has led to accusations that it favours business over the environment.

“The energy transition makes a very strong business case,” said Šefčovič, who said 9 million Europeans were working in green industries. That number is expected to double by 2030.

“This transition is still disruptive,” he said, “not in the sense of slowing down our economic output but in the sense of transforming it, innovating it and smartening it.

Private investment has stultified since the financial crisis. Convincing investors sitting on huge piles of ‘dry powder’ to loosen the purse strings is vital to get projects going, build confidence and mainstream the green economy.

The Junker Plan, offering public money as risk guarantees to private investors, has encouraged green projects and plans to expand it further are expected to be announced in this week’s State of the Union speech in Strasbourg.

The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is being lauded by the European Commission and the executive wants to extend the funding arm of the Juncker Plan. But not everyone thinks the billion euro pot has been a complete success. EurActiv Germany reports.

The European Commission can only do so much. It is dependent on global, European, national and local leaders. It needs the private sector to literally buy into the vision, and the willingness of citizens to change their behaviour.

Political will, burgeoning since the Paris Agreement – recently signed by the world’s two largest emitters the US and China – must be sustained.

“This transition requires each and every one of us to roll up our sleeves,” Šefčovič said.

This week’s Special Report will investigate some of the many challenges faced by citizens, politicians and industry in making the change to a climate-safe economy.